QUETTA: Following a three-day period of intense rain, which left ten people dead in Balochistan, the Met Department published a forecast for more downpours starting today, Wednesday.
The Meteorological Centre of Balochistan issued an advisory on Wednesday stating that a “powerful” spell of rain was approaching the province and that heavy rain and thunderstorms will be occurring in several districts.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the district administration have been warned by the Met office to remain vigilant and take appropriate action in the event of severe precipitation.
“During the next 36 to 48 hours, the coastal districts of Gwadar, Kech, Awaran, Chagai, Panjgur, Kharan, Washuk, and Noshki will experience heavy rains and thunderstorms,” a senior Met Center official stated.
The Met Department recommends that officials exercise care; CM establishes body to investigate urban flooding causes
The advice cautioned that because of rainfall in catchment areas, the downpour may cause flash floods in seasonal nullahs and streams and urban flooding in cities.
People have been advised not to shelter under trees or remain in open areas during thunderstorms or rainy spells because lightning can strike at any time.
Committee to look into urban flooding
A spokesman for the province government claimed that Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has established a fact-finding commission to look into the reasons behind Quetta’s urban flooding during the period of intense rain.
Shahid Rind informed the media on Tuesday that the chief minister will chair the committee, which will be composed of the chief of the city’s superintending engineer, the chief of the Planning and Development department, and officers from his inspection unit.
The committee’s task was to “identify the flaws and negligence” that caused the province capital’s urban flooding.
Mr. Rind continued by saying that the committee would review all development plans pertaining to Quetta’s roads and drainage systems over the previous three years and recommend actions to stop future urban flooding.
The committee will be granted “full access” to all pertinent records and persons within the relevant departments.
After intense rain and thunderstorms severely damaged at least 25 districts of the province earlier on Monday, the Balochistani administration declared an urban flood and rain emergency.
According to Quetta Division Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat, the provincial capital experienced about 156mm of rain over three days, causing urban flooding in numerous locations.
According to Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat, more than 200 workers from the relevant departments are being let go for neglecting their jobs during the prolonged downpour. According to him, the main cause of the rain damage was the encroachment of 82 nullahs in and around the province capital, which prevented rainwater from flowing from roadways and populated areas.
According to officials, nearly all of Quetta’s main roadways flooded because blocked sewers prevented water from draining.Amidst the previous rainfall, a number of areas in Makran, including Pasni, Kech, Panjgur, Gwadar, and other Balochistani divisions, also experienced significant damage to their homes and infrastructure.
